# NTSB CEN22LA199: Piper J3F-65, N35257, Port Bolivar, TX, May 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 12, 2022, 19:45 local (May 13, 2022, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Port Bolivar, TX - Coordinates: 29.46551, -94.627415 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4655&lon=-94.6274&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105079/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105079 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7100536), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J3F-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7100536), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J3F-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7100536), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper J3F-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7100536), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff from the turf runway in calm wind conditions, the pilot lost directional control. The airplane’s right wing impacted some bamboo, the airplane spun to the right, and impacted the terrain in a slight nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35257](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35257-2023-12-30), registration cancelled 2023-12-30, S/N 6253, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J3F-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3F-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3f-65) (registry code 7100536) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6253 - Year built: 1941 - Engines: Continental C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2021 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: XS77, Seafood Warehouse Park, runway 30, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,956 total, 45 in this make and model, 711 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KGLS, 17 nm away - METAR: KGLS 130052Z AUTO 17009KT 10SM CLR 27/20 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 T02670200 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105079. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13910205&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13910730&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.